Rwanda has shipped its first direct consignment of tungsten to the United States, which arrived on September 30 at Global Tungsten and Powders (GTP) in Towanda, Pennsylvania, marking the country’s rising prominence in the global critical minerals market.
GTP, part of the Austrian-based Plansee Group, a century-old leader in tungsten refining, will process the shipment. GTP transforms raw minerals into high-quality powders, carbide materials, and heavy alloy components, essential for the aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing industries worldwide.
“This is an important moment for Rwanda’s mining sector. Our tungsten is now being converted into products that contribute to global industries, while supporting thousands of Rwandan jobs and economic growth at home,” said Shawn McCormick, Chairman of Trinity Metals, the Rwandan company behind the export.
Founded in 2022, Trinity Metals was created by merging three historic Rwandan mines, Nyakabingo Tungsten Mine, Rutongo Tin Mine, andMusha Tin and Tantalum Mine. Today, it is Africa’s largest tungsten producer and the fourth largest globally, following China, North Korea, and Russia, and producing roughly 120 tonnes of wolframite every month.
The company is also a pioneer in ethical mining, being conflict-free and child labor-free. It has recently become the first African mine to secure technical assistance funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)to support environmental and social governance initiatives.
The company said it had also discovered a highly prospective Lithium deposit called Ntunga on its Musha concession, reinforcing Rwanda’s position in critical mineral markets.
The U.S. government’s recent executive order, signed on September 12,exempts critical minerals, including tungsten, gold, graphite, and uranium, from global tariffs. These minerals are essential for industries such as nuclear energy, aerospace, electronics, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. While the order introduced tariffs on certain other products, it also streamlined exemptions for strategic minerals under trade agreements with key partners, including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.
For Rwandan producers, the exemptions provide certainty and stability in trade, helping secure existing agreements such as the two-year supply deal between Trinity Metals and U.S.-based Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP). This not only safeguards financial arrangements but also sends a strong signal to international investors about Rwanda’s potential as a reliable supplier of high-value, conflict-free minerals.
Rwanda’s mineral exports have surged from $373 million in 2017 to $1.7 billion in 2024, with projections reaching $2.2 billion by 2029. Tungsten is expected to play a central role in this growth, with the Nyakabingo minealone projected to produce more than 1,400 tonnes of wolframite annually, underlining the country’s capacity to meet rising global demand while supporting local economic growth.
The historic tungsten shipment, celebrated by officials including U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Eric Kneedler, underscores Rwanda’s commitment to expanding international trade and demonstrates how its mining sector is moving beyond raw exports toward strategic partnerships that support global industries.
